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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The 50K Giveaway!!

It rhymes, therefore it MUST be awesome.

I am super excited for my upcoming 50K. It is my FIRST ultra AND also my first trail run. I'll be running the Greenland Trail 50K... and YAY that L is joining me for it. It's my greatest challenge to date!

With that said. Anyone who follows my blog knows that I am a creature of habit. When I find something that works, I stick with it. That especially goes for...

GEAR I CAN'T RACE WITHOUT

I have a pretty standard race outfit:

From top to bottom:

Headband - Coordinated with my outfit... duh!

Sunglasses and/or Visor

Tank top.... 99.9% of the time (except Kansas), I wear a tank. I get way too hot and sweat too much to wear anything else when I race.

Garmin watch - I'm obsessed with mine.

Road ID - You can never be too careful

Running Skirt - They are comfortable, cute, and practical (Really! They have pockets!)

I have contacted some of my FAVORITE brands/manufacturers, and I am PSYCHED to announce my latest giveaway:

GEAR I CAN'T RACE WITHOUT

1. Underneath It All

If you have been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that I have been suffering on and off from random foot/ankle pain. Not quite bad enough for me to see a doctor, but annoying. A few races it has affected performance as the throbbing has been quite intense. The regimen for the longest time was just to ice and take it easy. Then I found a sample of a product in a swag bag from a race. KT Tape, which boasts "Perfect for common sports injuries" and "Pain relief and support for Muscles and Joints." Well, that is exactly what I was looking for so I tested it out. NO KIDDING that this tape is the best, hands down. Easy to use and comes in more than a dozen fun colors, this tape has done WONDERS for my ankle pain. How big of a fan am I?

Pink, Light Blue & Silver!

I contacted KT Tape and they are donating a roll, in a color of your choice. Visit their website to check out all the colors, find out more product information and view application videos.

2. Holding Back

Nothing is more annoying to me than little pieces of hair in my face when I am working out. I'm happy I discovered awesome headbands to hold it all in place. Who knew they came in SO many colors and designs? By far, my favorite brand of bands is Razzy Roo. If you are looking for unique designs, and prompt and personal customer service, this is the headband for you!! I first tested out a Razzy Roo headband for the Thunder Road half marathon I ran last December. Look how awesome the band is:

I was a bit worried about washing them, but I have washed ALL of them, including the glitter bands. Put them in a regular cycle in the washing machine and then air dry! I adore these bands! I have since acquired quite the collection of them. Honestly, you can get one for just about every situation you can imagine:

I contacted Razzy Roo, and the winner of the giveaway may chose any headband of their choice (and there are a lot of them!) Visit their website to check out all the options!

3. Run Like a Girl

I started wearing running skirts shortly after I saw a girl wearing one at a race two years ago. It never occurred to me to shop the internet looking for different brands, so I settled for the one I found at my local sporting goods store. It was the only one I had for ages. Then when I started this journey to run 50 half marathons in 50 states, I encountered an entirely different group of runners and bloggers. These ladies ran in STYLE! And so the obsession began... literally.

I am a colorful person, so when I came across Running Skirts, I fell in love. All the choices in colors and patterns? The first skirt I bought from them was from their "Princess" line. I was on a mission to find a yellowish/gold skirt that would match my new Half Fanatics top. Immediately I was hooked. I started racing in these awesome skirts and coordinating awesome outfits:

Boston Half Marathon (October 2010)

Athens Classic Marathon (October 2010)

Mississippi Blues Half Marathon (January 2011)

NYC Half Marathon (March 2011)

My collection has gotten... rather large:

I contacted the lovely ladies at Running Skirts, and they are offering a free ultra swift skirt since this is all about my first ultra! They come in a lot of fun colors, and have an extra third pocket in the back. I ran wearing the black ultra skirt (linked above) when I ran the Martian half marathon in Detroit last month. That third pocket was great for holding the keys to my rental car! I love the "freedom" of running in a skirt. I find the pockets very useful for my iPod, GU, and extra piece of gum. Best part is... NO CHAFING!!

So, if you have always been wanting to try a skirt, now is the time!! Visit the Running Skirts website and pick your favorite color available in the ultra swift skirts!

4. Being Safe

One of the most important items that I run with when I am not at the gym is my Road ID. Be safe when you run. Wear a Road ID that has all your emergency contact information, you never know what could to happen. I have had mine for about a year, and honestly, I don't even notice it when I wear it (well, except for my awesome tan line). Road ID has agreed to contribute a Wrist ID Sport to the winner, color of their choice. I personally like the yellow:

Visit their website and check out the colors that are available. (PS, if you don't win this contest and don't currently have one, they are a great investment. I have had a link to them on my sidebar for about a year now).

Other prizes TBD but I wanted to get the ball rolling on this one!

Entries accepted until 4:00 MST, May 5. Winner will be announced shortly after.

ENTRIES (you MUST enter these all as separate comments or you will only be given one entry). Check out the requirements. I am giving all of you LOTS of chances to win.

**Guys, I apologize for the girly giveaway! Don't be discouraged! You should still enter and you could be the best husband/boyfriend/friend for your favorite lady!**

I'm not really sure what my favorite race has been thus far. I would post a link to the Flying Pig which I'm sure will be a good one, but L said u think it doesn't count since it goes through KY lol. Even though you were there running it with me, Charlotte's Thunderoad I loved- not only was it my PR, but the course was great, good support both ppl and aide stations, but also great scenery. http://www.runcharlotte.com/races-marathon.htm

My greatest challenge with running- being consistent! Finding a good racing pace (and keeping it) will work on one race, and then the next its all over the place. I'm SLOWLY learning its all in how I go out for the first mile.

My greatest challenge is my mental game while racing. Give me a pace in training and I can hold it all day. But race time comes and I start to doubt it. I think it's because there is nothing to lose in training. Such a headcase.

My greatest challenge with running is mental. I am a goal oriented person, so it's natural for me to set running goals. But, I am most in love with running when it's all "junk miles" and I'm running for the joy of it. If I over schedule myself I get really frustrated and stop running. I need to learn to completely let go, I think.

my crrrrraziest race was in San Diego... my ITB flared at mile 12, but I refused to quit... by mile 20 I was moving at a 20min pace and had to borrow a specatators phone to call my husband. He met up with me and tried to convince me to stop, realized I wouldn't and so then gave me the final boost of love i needed to keep going and finish in just over 5 hours!

I think my greatest challenge is happening now. I want to finish a full marathon someday, but each year I get injured. I'm not trying for a full this year because I'm getting married in September, but 2012 will be my year. :)

I ran my first Half sick as anything..although I didn't realize it at the time. I couldn't figure out why I was walking around mile 2...on the way from PA to VA I had to pull over multiple times...stomach virus..ugh

My greatest challenge with running, aside from all the usual injuries, has just been trying to get back into it since having a baby. It took me a year of slow building to get back but I'm glad I'm here! 50lbs lighter and good to go!

fav race website: tomkingclassic.com This was a fun 5k on a nice flat course -- and most surprising of all is i took first place age group in a big city! (Granted lots of great runners were busy doing the half marathon instead..i'm sure that helped my chances!)

My greatest challenge with running? I don't think it's any different than a lot of runners out there -- but for me, it's finding the time. The treadmill is just not the same as some good ol' RUNNING outside so when someone can watch the kids, i'm there!

my favorite color is the purple, i do own one already, but I want to get one for my mom because she is on blood thinners and I keep telling her she needs to wear a bracelet incase shes out and about and gets cut!

I just recently completed my first marathon and boy what a challenge it was! Mentally, I felt I had to fight the urge to walk and physically I needed to walk, which I had not anticipated. Definately an experience I will never forget but one that I am itching to do again!